Wrist watch strap



April 7, 1936. A. scHwALBl-:RG

WRIST WATCH STRAP Filed Aug. 14, 1931 INVENTOR livr' ORNEY I I Patented `Apr. 7., 1936 WRIST WATCH STRAP Abraham schwamm. Brooklyn, my. Application August 14, 1931, Serial No. 557,035

'I'his invention relates to wrist watch straps and particularly, to thattype in which the strapbody ismade largely of iiexible material such as leather, fabric or the like, and to the means for removably maintaining the strap in place upon the wrist of the wearer.v

My invention contemplates the provision of a exible'strap body, so constructed as to present integral, smooth and nished edges throughout the strap, which are rmly held against possibility of separation, in which body rough edges necsitating the use of paint or` the like, lare eliminated, in which a minimum amount of contrasting thicknesses of material, are provided, thereby avoiding abrasive action against the wrist of the wearer, in which a Variety of ornamental and decorative effects may b e produced, and in which comparatively thin, high grade leathers, or fabrics, such as kid, silk or the like may be Mylinvention .further-contemplates the pro" vision of simple and elcient means of the snap fastener type, for securing the ends of the strap body separably in proper position about the wrist of the wearer.

The various objects of my invention will bel clear from the description which follows, and fromthe drawing, in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of my invention as it appears secured to a wrist watch and opened up or unfolded ready for removal from the wrist.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section and partial perspec-` 1 Fig. 5 is a similar view of the same but show-- ing a modified form wherein reinforcing material is inserted in the interior in the strap.

Fig. 6 is a similarview of another modified form of the strap bodyy element.

Fig. '7 is a similar view of a modified form of the strap body wherein a su'i'liciently wide member takes the place of the 'pairof narrow members illustrated vin Fig.,2. .Fig 8 is a top plan view of one form of the fastening means-arranged at onel of ,the ends loi the strap, and designed to be used in connection with the attaching pin of a wrist watch.

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of the same as it ap'- pears attached to the strap body.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8of a similar connection'which is, however, removable from the strap body instead of being permanently attached thereto.

Fig. 11 is a rear elevation of the same.

Flg. 12 is av front elevation of part of a. fastener canying element showing the socket'therein.

Fig. 13 is a vertical section of the snap ffastener meansfor removablyV securing the parts of the strap together.

Figs. 14 and 15 are similar views of modied forms of the same, and

Fig. 16 is a front elevation' of a modified form of the fastening means for the separable ends of the strap parts.

In that practical embodiment of my invention which I have illustrated by way of example, my

improved wrist watch strap includes a pair of similar strap body members, each designated generally by the numeral l 0, said strap body carrying at one of its ends, suitable fastener-elements I I, designed to connect said end of the strap body to the pin I2 of a wrist watch I3.` My improved strap -terminates at the4 other or separable end in a suitable hinge buckle I4, or other means intended to permit the separation of the ends I5 and I6 of the strap body so that the strap may be put on and .taken off the wrist of the wearer with ease and rapidity.

Since the strap body l0 forms one of the features of my invention, said body will now be described in detail.

As indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 9, 11 and 16, each of the sections I0 of the strap body preferably consists of two similarand preferablmthough not necessarily; edge-abutting flexible bands, each made of suitable comparatively thin, but iiexible, non-resilient and non-metallic material such as leather, silk or other suitable material capable of receiving various types of ornamentation, which ornamentation may be ofthe surface or of the embossed type, or may consist of suitable coloring. Byimaking the strap body bands in the manner soon to be described, it becomes possible to use thin materials and particularly,

arranged in ,edge-abuttingvrelation to a similar aov 2 bond 2|, though it wm be understood that the f bands 20 and 2| may be somewhat spaced apart to separate the adjacent' edges 22 and 2t thereof, and to avoid frlctional wear therebetween, as

may be found convenient or desirable. The bands 20 and 2l being similar to each other, a.l

description of one 'will suffice forv both. Still referring to Fig. 2, the band 20, forexample, consists of a comparatively wide piece of comparatively thin material having the edge portions thereof folded inwardly or rearwardly so that one edge flap 24 is arranged in the interior of the band, and the other edge flap 25 is arranged behind the flap'24-to form the inner or rear face of the band, and so that only one exposed terminal edge 26 of the flap 25 remains unfinished.

It will be seen that by thus folding the strip constituting the band 20, not only is the vedge 22 rounded and thereby finished by an integral ,rounded fold edge to present a good appearance, butthat the strength and wearing properties of the band are increased, and the necessity is avoided of resorting tothe.various expedients heretofore used for rendering inconspicuous the raw unfinished edges normally presented in leather or similar wrist watch straps, such as painting, beading, or calendering the edges. 'Ihe unfinished edge 26 furthermore is comparativeiy thin, andA is arranged on the back or. inner fase of the band and in the operative position of the strap, is therefore invisible. J

The flaps 2t and 25 are secured together and at the same time secured to' the front section 21 of the band, by means of a Line of stitching 28'A passing through the three thicknesses of material thus provided adjacent the upper edge 2li of the band. A similar'line of stitching 48 is arranged adjacent therounded finished edge 22 at the lowei edge of the band, and serves to secure the unfinished edge 2s und the foldsiu piece; It will be understood that said unfinished edge 261 terminates slightly above the finished edge 22, and

being arranged'on-the inner tace of the band, is concealed by the wrist when the strap is in use. Similarly, in the band 2|, the corresponding unnished edge 30 is arranged at the upper edge of the band just below the finished edge 23. One or more metallic loops as 3i, bent of suitable wire or cut from tubing, may, if desired, be

arranged on the strap. to aid in maintaining the bands 20 and 2| in their proper relation vand for purposes of ornamentation.

Said loops 3l may.7 be suitably ornamented, as by surface or embossed or engraved ornamentation, or sai-d loops may be omitted, if desired.

It will 'be understood that the stitching 28 and 48 may also be omitted'should -it be found advisableto do so, and that suitable 4adhesive material may-be= substituted-therefor, though it will be further understood that both adhesive and stitching maybe used .to hold the parts of the strap together. It will further be seen that in the bands 20 and 2 5, at least 'three thicknesses of 'material are provided, thereby producing aV durable, though nexible band of uniform thickness and width throughout, except for the' com- Y peratively insignificant spacing of the edges 28 ing material consists preferably of suitable material, such. as buckram, leather or `the like,

' the band.

fabric used for the exposed ort'isible portions of the band. The stitching 28 and 48 in this forni of my invention passes through the reinforcing layer and serves'to maintain the various flaps and sections in their proper positions, or adhesive A may beused as above explained, four thicknesses of material being provided to assure theA proper body or thickness which is desirable in some cases.

In that form of my new strap body shown in Fig. 4, the band 33 consists preferably, of a rear 'I section 34 and a pair of similar front aps 35 and '36, the adjacent edges of which`may meet each other at the rear part of the bandor" may be spaced slightty apart, Said edges, however, are concealed and reinforced by the front facing 31 pf comparatively -thin material secured to the reminder of the band by adhesive, and/ or by the lines of stitching 38 and 39 which pass through It will be understood that the facing strip 3l .may be of a color contrasting with that of the rear section 34, or may carry contrasting surface or embossed ornamentation so as to present an ornamental appearance suitably harmonizing with that of the remainder of the band. It will further be noted that the facing strip 31 extends substantially across the entire width of the band 33 so-as to provide'three thicknesses of mater'ial throughout the entire band.A

Referring now to that embodiment of the band shown in Fig. 5, a iayer of reinforcing material 40 is arranged between the rear section 34 and the forwardly disposed fold sections -or flaps 35 and 36, so as to stiffen tlie band and matze it more durable and of less flexibility than the form shown in Fig. 4, thereby providing four thicknesses ofl material substantially throughout the entire band, one of said thicknesses being the sti'ening layer 40. f

In that form of my new band shown in Fig. 6, a stiffening layer .8 is provided not only in the main section 4| of the band, but Va similar reinforcing iayer 42 is provided in the auxiliary or front facing section 43. In order that the edges of the flaps 44 and 45-of the main motion are not aligned or do not register with the edges of the flaps 48 and 41 of the auxiliaryfsection 43, the

. nap 44 -is made narrower than the-flap 45 and similarly, the flap 45 is made wider than the flap 41. By means of this arrangement, the

adjacent edges of the flaps of the main and auxiliarysections are maintained out of registry with each other whereby any possibility of iumps, ridges or depressions is avoided. Suitable adhesive or lines of stitching as 28 and 48 as hereinbeforedescribed, unite the main andauxiliary o sections with the reinforcing layers in their proper positions.

It will be seen that in this form of my new band, different materials may be used for the different sections, and that no rough or unfinished edges are anywhere/presented, the folds or bands .forming the peripheral edges of the sections being tended to be used in pairs arranged edge to edge,

have described hereinbefore are preferably init will also be understood that if desired, ra. single .75

band may be made of suillcien't width to extend across the entire width ofthe strap, as illustrated by the band 50 of Fig. '1. In said figure, I have shown a band similar in construction to the band but of double the Width so that a single band only is used across the width ofthe strap to form the. body thereof. The construction of the band 50 mayse that shown in any of the. Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive, as has been hereinbefore described,

`though only the folded structure of Fig. 2 has been illustrated.

It will be understood that means are employed 'for' seeming an end ofeach of the strap bodyv sections In to the pin lz.v of the wrist watch n.

As illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the securing means 5| may take the form of a sheet metal member or members permanently secured to the end 52 ofthe strap'body. Spring loops or hooks as 53 are provided at the end of the securing member 5 I into the opening 54 of which, the pin |2 of the watch may be inserted, or about which pin the hooksrnay be passed. A suitable sheet metal member as 55 o'f L-shaped section may be ar` 'ranged transversely across the bands 28 and 2 to' provide a bearing surface for the ears 56, which are bent over on to the member 55 to-hold the members 5| and 55V to the bands.

.In the form shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the mov- .able member 6 8 is substituted for the member 55,

and is suitably pivoted to the ears 6| 'as at 62, and 'terminates in suitable teeth 63 designed to engage the inner faces of the bands 20 and 2| and thereby aids in removably securing the hooks or loops 53 f`t`o the bands. It will be understood that b y reason of the removable attachment of the'hooks 53 to vthe bands, the effective length of the strap body sections Il! maybe somewhat varied, as

maybe desired, by moving said hooks along the strap 'body beforerotating the member 50 vinto eral type well known and customarily used in -sttuted. In otherA Words, said lsection 12 maybe removably or permanently-attached to the the art for this purpose.

The socket-carrying section 1| is suitably pivoted at'one of its ends to the buckle section 1 8 as by means of the pin 13. The other lend of the section 1| is hinged, as by means of the hinge 14, to the studcarrying section 12. Said section 12 is suitably secured to the body section |8 as-by means of a connecting element 15, similar either.

to the fastener 5| or to the fastener 6|, but wherein the hooks 54 are omitted and the section 12 subbody, 10., Where it is removably secured to the body as by means of a member 60, 'it will be understood that adjustment of the effective length of the body Iii may be obtained by releasing the member BQ and then moving the buckle I4 over the body in the proper direction to lengthen or shorten the operative length thereof. Similarly,

the buckle section 18 may be secured to the other strap body section I8 by similar "permanent or adjustableor removable means.

The section 12 is further provided with a suit,- able snap fastener stud 16, while the section 1I 1s 'provided with o suitable cooperating snap fastener socket". It will be understood that the sections 1| and 12 are overlapped by rotation about the hinge 14 into the proper position to carry the stud 16 into registry or axial alignment with the socket 11, and that the stud may then be snapped through the' socket to retain the. parts in their folded positions and to maintain the strap against opening on the wrist ,of the wearer.

It will further bel understood that the stud may be a resilient stud or a non-resilient stud, and that the'socket 11 may similarly be a resilient or a non-,resilient socket. However, as is customary in the snap fastenerart, if one of the elements is resilient, .the other is usually made non-resilient. However, it will be understood that both elements may be made resilient for pur poses of ease of attachment a'nd detachment, and as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

'I'he socket element 11 may consist, as is well illustrated in Figs. 1, 12, 13, 15, and 16. of a perforation 18 of slightly less diameter than the greatest dlameterfof the stud 16. As shown in Fig. 14, the 4perforation 18 provides a non-resilient socket. Should it be desired, however, to make the' socket resilient,.as is sometimes advantageous, I prefer to'provide'a. series of slots or slits 19 'extending radially outwardly from the circumference of the perforation. (Figs. 1', 12 and 16). Such slitsfprovide resilient fingers 88 there-between which yield to some extent 'under the pressure of the Istud, and thereby permit the passageof a resilient, or non-resilient stud into detach-v able engagement with the walls ofthe perforation.

I'he resilient stud 16 is ofv the bird cage type,

being provided with a series of spaced slots or slits 8| arranged in radiating vertical planes passing through the axis of the stud, the stud terminating in la suitable flange l82farranged on one face 83 of the section 12. A flanged eyelet 84 is arranged on the other face 85 of the section 12, the hollow eyelet portion 86 thereof passing through an aperture 81:in the section 12 and spread against the interior wall of thestud to hold it in place. Said apertureis preferably of greater diameter than that of the eyelet to permit transverse movement of the stud in all diy rections to a limited extent. It will be seen that should the stud 18'fail toAregistcr accurately with the socket perforation 18, said stud, owing to its curved end, under the axial pressure thereon. may

move slightly on thesectlon 12 to obtain perfect registration in order to enter the perforation 18 of the socket without undue pressure.

As shown in Fig. 14, however, the slits 12 yare eliminated and the socket is made non-resilient by the use, merely,'of the perforation 18, and an eyelet, if desired.

As-uiustrated in Fig. 15, the smi ca may be of a non-resilient type either integral and pressed out from the section 12 or suitably attached thereto by means of a suitable eyelet or rivet 9|.

As shown in Fig. 16, the buckle I4 may be dis- 1 pensed with and the cooperating snap fastener Ielements may b e .separately secured to the respective ends of the strap bodies i8 without being hinged together. In that case, the snap fastener ,support 'S5-is provided with ears 96 which may support a pivoted member 6B of the typ'.`

shown in Figs. 1.0 and 1.1, or which may be bent into rm engagement with the bands 20 and 2| and thereby permanently secured thereto.

I'he ends of the lingers 80, as shown in Fig. 1 6',`

mayl if desired, be bent upwardlyandthen outwardly to providea greater and rounded area forA engagement with the stud and to prevent injury to the stud on its repeated passage` through the socketsf Whenaremov'able connection isused, the support'v 95 is adjustable on the strap body and when the connection is used, the support 95 or 91 is permanently secured and non-adjustable. The

support 95 carries the stud 16 while the similar thereof together and snapping the' stud through support 91 is provided'with thesocket 'I8 and is similarly secured to the bands 20 and 2| by means of the ears 95 and/or by the pivoted member `rSII. When this type of annular snap fastener connection is used, it will be understood that the strap may be completely opened and removed from the wrist of the wearer merely by bringing the ends the socket.

' In `any case, the individual bands 20 and 2| may adjust themselves automatically to the shape of the wearers wrist in a manner not possible in straps not'provided with separate bands.

It will be seen that I haveprovided a simple wrist watch strap`capable of being secured in place on the wrist of the wearer adjustably or non-adjustably by means of a' simple, inexpensive butx efficient snap fastener device', that the.

strap presents a highly ornamental appearance with no'rough or unfinished edges exposed t'o view, vthat the strap may be made of contrasting materials, or 'of materials of contrasting colors and designs in great variety to produce numerous ornamental eifects, that the strap may adjust itself to iit'the wrist, 'and that I -have produced a strap well designed to meet the severe requirements'of practical use. J

While I have shown and described Vcertain vspecinc embodimentslof my invention, it will be understoodthat I do nt: intend to 'limit myself lthereto but intend to claim my invention Aas broadly as may be prmitt by .the state .of the prior art and the scope-of the appended claims.

1 In a wrist watch strap, a flexible body con` sisting of `a .pair of similar sections, .each of said l sections comprising a pair of lsimilar but independent comparatively wide andthin bandlslarranged in edge-abutting relation and each of said bandsincluding, a (,{omparlsitivelyV thin'but wide strip of imperforate flexible material folded transversely upon itself to provide integral rounded edges on said bandV and to provide at least three thicknesses of material, each of said thicknesses being substantially las wide as the band, at least one'of the edges of the strip being arranged in the interior of said band, and the other edge adjacent the edge of the band, and afpair of lines of stitching adjacent -to and parallel to said edges and passing through all the thicknesses of material.

, 2. In a wrist watch strap, a body. member com, prising 'a strip of flexible .material having its edge portionsv folded inwardly toward each other 'to bring said edge'portions into the same ,plane and to provide integral edges on said strip and a@ front facing 'member covering the edges of said strip and secured to said strip by -stitching passinglthrough'the foldedA portions and thereby providing at least three thicknesses of material in said body member, said body`member being thereby reinforced and stifIened, and being of substantiallyuniform width and uniform thickness.

. 3. In a wrist watch strap provided with end hooks adapted .toenga'gethe ears v0f a wrist watch Vand having'a pair offbody sections adapted to be separably fastened together, each bodysection comprising a pair of inwardly folded` leather body members similar to each other andeeach of substantially rectangular cross-sectional out-f lineand each comprisinga normally stretchable leather sheet having its edge portions' ifolded to provide an integral longitudinal edge fold, a plurality of thicknesses of material in each of said body members, and a line of stitching passing through each of the body members and substantially parallel to the edge fold thereof for main-l taining the body members in their folded posiy tions, said body members being arranged in the body section with the corresponding edge folds thereof in adjacent relation and movable laterally with respect to each other by the action of 'the wrist of the wearer to' ventilate the wrist.

4. In a wrist watch strap, a fiat body band substan'tlally unstretchable under the stresses of normal use, Aadapted to resist the effect of perspiration, comprising a comparatively widev but thin leather strip, the longitudinall peripheral edge portions of said strip being folded inwardly and transversely upon theremainder of the strip to v reduce the original width ofthe strip and to provide a `plurality of thicknesses of material, the outermost thicknesses of material providing at, unwrinkled surfacesvof greater width than the thickness of the strip, integral rounded sides on the band and a line ofstitching adjacent to and parallel to each of said edges and passing through all of the `thicknesses of material for maintaining the band in its-folded form.

5.- In a -wrist watch strap', a body member resistantv to perspiration .and substantially unstretchable under the stresses of normal use comprising a pair of similar but independent comparatively -wide and thin bandsarranged in edge adjacent relation; each of said bands including a comparatively thin but wide imperforate strip of leather the longitudinal edge portions of the strip being folded transversely and inwardly upon theremainder of the strip to form `'integral edge folds and to provide 9.. plurality of thicknesses of material, stitching passing through all the thicknesses of the. band adjacent each: of said edges to hold the band in folded position and thereby to/increase the resistance of the bahdto stretching and to perspiration, said band having a wide inner surface, flat throughout its entire Width,V and means at the 'ends of the bands for securing the ends of said pair of .bands in assembledv rela` tion .and for securing the assembled bands to other articleswhereby ventilation between the adjacent edges ofthe band is permitted to reduce the effect of perspiration of the wrist thereupon.

6. In a wrist watch strap, a leather body member comprising a widebut thin leather sheet having its edge portions folded transversely and inwardly-on itself to provide-integral longitudinal `edge folds, said edge portions constituting a pair ness of reinforcing material less stretchable than leather enclosed in the folded band'and concealed 4thereby, and stitching pareue te ena edeeent each ofthe edgesand securing the reinforcing parts of saidv thickness and the folded parts of said `band together.

8. In a wrist watch strap, a body member comprising a pair of similar co-planar bands, eachy 5 of said bands comprising a Wide but thin and imperforate strip of leather and having its edge portions folded inwardly from the sheet to provide at least three thicknesses of materiaL'and stitching securing said thicknesses of .each band together, said bands being independently movable under the action of the wrist of the wearer and being arranged in edge adjacent relation to to permit the passage of air therebetween and thereby to ventilate the wrist of the wearer, and means forsecuring the adjacent ends of said bands together to maintain the ends of said bands ,in their co-planar relation while permitting relative lateral and transverse movement of the intermediate portions of the bands, said means being adapted to attach the body member to other articles. l

9. In a wrist watch strap, aflexible body consisting of a pair of similar sections, each of said sections comprising a pair of similar but independent comparatively wide and thin bands arranged side by side, and each of said bands including a comparatively thin but wide imperforate leather strip folded transversely upon it- `self -to provide at least three thicknesses of material, each of said thicknesses being substantially as wide as the band at leastv one of the edges of the strip being arrangedin `the interior of said band and the other edge adjacent the edge of the band, and a pair of lines of stitching adjacent to and parallel to the edges of the-band and passing through all of the thicknesses of ma terial. v

10. In a wrist -watch strap, a. body member comprising a comparatively wide rst strip of imperforalte flexible material folded transversely' upon itself, integral rounded terminal edges on' the folded strip, a second facing striparranged on one of the faces of the folded first strip, a third reinforcing strip of flexible material less Vstretchable than the material of said first and second strips, said third strip being narrower than said first strip and arranged in contact with --one of the vfaces of said first strip and being concealed by the folded parts of said rst strip and o resisting the stretching of said body member, and a pair of lines of stitching adjacent to and parallel to' said edges and passing through all of said strips and through the folded parts thereof.

11. A exible body member substantially un- 5 stretchable under the stresses of normal use, said member being adapted for use in a wrist watch strap,. comprising a thin but wide leather sheet folded upon itself to reduce the sheet to a band of substantially a third of the originalwwidth of o the sheet 'and to form at least three thicknesses of material therein, one of the side edges of the sheet being arranged in the interior of the band and the other side edge of the sheet being arranged at the exteriorof the band but in spaced relation to the adjacent edge of the band, a pair of lines of stitching passing throughthe thicknesses of material in said band inwardly of and and arranged with the terminal edge of the sheet from which it is formed adjacent to the similar edge of the first-mentioned band to permit the passage of air therebetween and to ventilate the wrist of vthe wearer, and a fastener element securing the adjacent ends of said bands together to hold said bands against separation at their ends, and having means thereon for securing the band to another element. f

12. A band for a wrist watch strap comprising a widel and thin leather sheet folded transversely and inwardly to provide a main section and two unfolded overlapping fiaps each of a single thickness of material, said flaps providing at least three thicknesses of material in the strap, one terminal edge of the sheet being arranged in the interior of. the band, the other terminal edge vof the sheet being exposed at the inner face of said band and adapted to be arranged adjacent the wrist of the wearer, a rounded edge at one peripheral edge of the band comprising a fold integral with the outermost thicknesses of the material of the'band, and forming a finished edge on the band, a second integral edge fold on the band forming the ,other edge of the band, a line of stitching spaced slightly inwardly from and parallel to one of the edges of the band, and a similar line of stitching spaced slightly inwardly from the other edge of the band, said lines of stitching securing the various thicknesses of the material of the band permanently together.

13. In a wrist watch strap having a pair of body sections and having means for separably securing the sections together 'and to the ears of a wrist watch, a pair of transversely folded similar body members comprising each of said sections, each of said membersl being of substantially rectangular cross-section and independent of the other throughout the length thereof except at its ends, each of said members comprising a thin leather strip infolded at its free edges to increase the resistance of the members t0 stretching and to perspiration, said members beingarranged in edge to edge relation to bend longitudinally on the Wrist of the wearer, and being adapted for automatic self-adjustment in a lateral direction to conform to the shape and to Ventilate the wrist of the wearer, while distributing the pressure of the strap on an area of the wrist substantially equal to the area of said body section.

14. A band for a watch strap or the like comprising a wide and thin leather sheet folded transversely and inwardly to provide a main section and two unfolded overlapping iiaps eachof single thickness of material, said flaps providing at least three thicknesses of material in 'the strap. one terminal e'dge of the sheet being arranged in the interior of the band, the otherterminal edge of the sheet being exposed at one face of said band, a rounded edge at one peripheral edge of lthe band comprising a fold integral with the outermost thicknesses of the material of the band, and forming a finished edge .on the band, a second integral edge fold on the band forming the other edge of the band, a line of stitching spaced slightly inwardly from and parallel to one 'of the edges of the band, and a similar line of Astitching spaced slightly inwardly from the other edge of the band, said lines of stitching securing the various thicknesses of the material of the band permanently together.v

ABRAHAM BCHWALBERG. 

